Tags: Norfloxacin

Enterococci are able to grow and survive under harsh conditions and can be found in soil, food, water, and a wide variety of animals. The major habitat of these organisms is the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other animals, where they make up a significant portion of the normal gut flora. Most enterococci isolated from human stools are E faecalis, although E faecium are also commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract. Small numbers of enterococci are occasionally found in oropharyngeal and vaginal secretions and on the skin, especially in the perineal area.

Urinary tract infections, including uncomplicated cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, and perinephric abscess, are the most common type of clinical infections produced by enterococci (Box 1). Most enterococcal urinary tract infections are nosocomial and are associated with urinary catheterization or instrumentation. Nosocomial enterococcal bacteremias are commonly polymicrobial. Portals of entry for enterococcal bacteremia include the urinary tract, intra-abdominal or pelvic sources, wounds (especially burns, decubitus ulcers, and diabetic foot infections), intravascular catheters, and the biliary tree.

In a double-blind, multicenter study 171 patients who had acute pyelonephritis were given intravenous cefuroxime for 2-3 days, followed by ceftibuten 200 mg bd or norfloxacin 400 mg bd for 10 days. There were fewer bacterial relapses after oral norfloxacin than ceftibuten. Adverse events were reported by 47% of the patients taking ceftibuten and by 38% of those taking norfloxacin. This difference was not significant, but diarrhea or loose stools occurred more often with ceftibuten.

A urinary tract infection is defined as the presence of microorganisms in the urine that cannot be accounted for by contamination. The organisms have the potential to invade the tissues of the urinary tract and adjacent structures.

A generally accepted systematic approach to the selection and evaluation of an antimicrobial regimen is shown in Table Systematic Approach for Selection of Antimicrobials. An «empiric» antimicrobial regimen is begun before the offending organism is identified, while a «definitive» regimen is instituted when the causative organism is known. The use of combinations to prevent the emergence of resistance is widely applied but not often realized. The only circumstance where this has been clearly effective is in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Infectious diseases comprise those illnesses that are caused by microorganisms or their products. Clinical manifestations of infection occur only when sufficient tissue injury has been inflicted directly by microbial products (e.g., endotoxins and exotoxins), or indirectly by host responses (e.g., cytokines and hydrolytic enzymes released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes). Despite the extraordinary recent advances that have occurred in therapeutics for infectious diseases, a number of basic principles should be followed to prescribe antimicrobials and vaccines is an optimal manner.

A wide variety of antimicrobial agents is available to treat established infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. This section will cover the general principles of antimicrobial therapy and will also include illustrative clinical problems to emphasize proper decision-making in using antimicrobials.

Are generic drugs as effective as brand-name drugs?
Yes. A generic drug is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, quality, the way it works, the way it is taken and the way it should be used.
FDA requires generic drugs have the same high quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name medicines.
Not every brand drug has a generic drug. When new meds are first made they have drug patents. When the patent expires, other pharma companies can start selling a generic version of the drug.

Antibiotic drugs

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.
Some antibiotics only kill certain types of bacteria, while others antibiotic drugs (broad-spectrum antibiotics) are used in dealing with a wide range of bacteria.
Antibiotic drugs are not effective against viral infections like the flu, the common cold, and most sore throats.
Popular antibiotics, which people buy in pharmacies: Cipro (Ciprofloxacin), Augmentin (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate), Bactrim (Co-trimoxazole), Zithromax (Azithromycin), Flagyl (Metronidazole)